Hitching Right: Finding The Best Weight Distribution Solution

When it comes to towing, safety should be the top priority. That's where a weight distribution hitch comes into the picture. Not only does it ensure safe and level towing, but it also plays a crucial role in maintaining performance and control.

Let's dive into why you may need sway control, explore various sway control options, and look at the different weight distribution hitch models that deliver stable, secure towing.

Get ready to discover the ideal solution for your towing needs!

Why is Sway Control Important?

Trailer sway can pose a significant towing concern— potentially leading to hazardous driving conditions. Whether it's a sudden driving maneuver, a powerful wind gust, or the turbulence caused by a passing semi-truck, maintaining stability is essential.

Sway control helps evenly distribute the trailer weight across your tow vehicle’s axles, minimizing lateral movement. This keeps your trailer aligned with your tow vehicle for a seamless and safe towing experience.

Types of Sway Control:

- Adaptive Sway Control

Adaptive sway control constantly adapts to driving conditions. It actively controls the sway during regular driving, yet disengages when making low speed turns for effortless maneuvering. You can also quickly turn off the sway control feature in dangerous or icy road conditions.

- Adjustable Sway Control

Adjustable sway control allows you to fine-tune the level of sway control with a simple clamp adjustment. To prevent unsafe maneuvering situations, the sway control feature can be turned off in dangerous or icy road conditions.

- Permanent/Built-in Sway Control

This type of sway control is built right into the weight distribution hitch. It stops and corrects trailer sway with two points of steel-on-steel bracket friction.

- External/Adjustable Sway Control

External/adjustable sway control is manually set. With a simple clamp adjustment, you can tailor the level of sway control to your desired amount. Unclamp the sway control to turn it off.

Weight Distribution Hitch Models & Benefits

1. ReCurve R6 Hitches (Adaptive Sway Control)

Eaz-Lift’s ReCurve R6 models are the most user-friendly hitches. Premium adaptive sway control makes turning effortless. The hitch will control your sway for normal driving. Yet, when you turn, the sway control will automatically disengage, making maneuvering a breeze. This is particularly beneficial during dangerous or icy road conditions, since the sway control feature can be quickly turned off when needed.

The ReCurve R6 maintains the same center point, so that your hitch and trailer move as one— helping to eliminate hitch noise and wear. Top-loading spring bars will provide you with simple installation and additional ground clearance.

Features:

• Maximum capacity hitch
• No-chain design
• Back up without disengaging
• Top-loading spring bars offer more ground clearance
• Hitch and trailer move as one
• Maintains the same center point
• No need to grease bars
• No drilling to install
• Quiet operation
• Hitch ball included

ReCurve R6 models:

• Eaz-Lift ReCurve R6 Weight Distribution Hitch, 600 lb Kit
• Eaz-Lift ReCurve R6 Weight Distribution Hitch, 800 lb Kit
• Eaz-Lift ReCurve R6 Weight Distribution Hitch, 1,000 lb Kit
• Eaz-Lift ReCurve R6 Weight Distribution Hitch, 1,200 lb Kit

2. ReCurve R3 Hitches (Adjustable Sway Control)

Achieve excellent sway control and increased ground clearance with the ReCurve R3 hitch. Adjustable sway control allows you to choose how much sway is exerted on your trailer; simply adjust the clamp to your preferred amount. This is particularly beneficial during dangerous or icy road conditions, since the sway control feature can be quickly turned off when needed.

The ReCurve R3 is designed to distribute the weight of your trailer across the axles of your tow vehicle. It maintains the same center point, so that your hitch and trailer move as one (helping eliminate hitch noise and wear). Top-loading spring bars will provide you with simple installation and additional ground clearance.

Features:

• Most efficient hitch
• No-chain design
• Back up without disengaging
• Hitch and trailer move as one
• Maintains the same center point
• No need to grease bars
• No drilling to install
• Quiet operation
• Hitch ball included

ReCurve R3 models:

• 48750 Eaz-Lift ReCurve R3 Weight Distribution Hitch, 400 lb Kit
• 48751 Eaz-Lift ReCurve R3 Weight Distribution Hitch, 600 lb Kit
• 48752 Eaz-Lift ReCurve R3 Weight Distribution Hitch, 1000 lb Kit
• 48753 Eaz-Lift ReCurve R3 Weight Distribution Hitch, 1200 lb Kit
• 48770 Eaz-Lift ReCurve R3 Weight Distribution Hitch, 400 lb Kit with 2″ Ball
• 48771 Eaz-Lift ReCurve R3 Weight Distribution Hitch, 600 lb Kit with 2″ Ball
• 48782 Eaz-Lift ReCurve R3 Weight Distribution Hitch, 800 lb Kit

3. TR3 Hitches (Adjustable Sway Control)

Experience enhanced towing with the TR3. These models feature adjustable sway control using a single bolt to turn the sway control on/off. You get to determine how much sway resistance is needed.

Unlike other sway control weight distribution hitches, the TR3's sway resistance is achieved independently of the trailer tongue weight. This allows you to have infinite adjustment between zero sway control and the factory preset maximum sway resistance.

With the TR3’s adjustable sway control, you have the option to disengage the sway control function to prevent any unsafe maneuvering situations in adverse weather conditions where roads are slippery.

Features:

• Most efficient hitch
• No-chain design
• Back up without disengaging
• Trunnion and trailer move as one
• Maintains the same center point
• Installs on top-mount or bottom-mount coupler style trailers
• Sway resistance is achieved independently of the trailer tongue weight (Infinite adjustment between zero sway control & factory preset max. sway resistance)
• Accommodates A-frame trailer configurations
• Accommodates impediments (i.e. battery and propane tank mounts)
• Accommodates small adjustments without resetting the ball mount angle
• No need to grease bars
• Quiet operation
• Hitch ball included

TR3 models:

• 48900 Eaz-Lift TR3 Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control, 1000 lb
• 48901 Eaz-Lift TR3 Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control, 600 lb
• 48902 Eaz-Lift TR3 Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control, 1,200 lb
• 48903 Eaz-Lift TR3 Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control, 400 lb
• 48904 Eaz-Lift TR3 Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control, 800 lb
• 48906 Eaz-Lift TR3 Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control, 400 lb, 2″ Ball
• 48907 Eaz-Lift TR3 Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control, 600 lb, 2″ Ball

4. Elite-S Hitches (Permanent, Built-In Sway Control)

For a hassle-free towing experience, consider Elite-S weight distribution hitches with permanent, built-in sway control. Two points of steel-on-steel bracket friction reduces/corrects trailer sway.

With this hitch, you no longer need to worry about battery boxes, gas tanks, and other obstructions getting in the way. The Elite- S has hookup brackets that conveniently provide installation flexibility.

Compared to other hitches, the Elite- S allows faster installation on both top-mount and bottom-mount coupler-style trailers. It uniquely features an adjustment washer (instead of a thumbscrew) to modify the ball mount angle for adjusting the spring bar pre-load.

Features:

• Economical hitch
• No-chain design
• Adjustment washer modifies the ball mount angel for adjusting the spring bar pre-load
• Hookup brackets provide installation flexibility (accommodates impediments, like battery and propane tank mounts)
• Installs on top-mount or bottom-mount coupler style trailers
• Backup without disengaging
• Hitch ball included

Elite-S models:

• 48191 Elite-S Weight Distribution Hitch Kit, 600 lb
• 48192 Elite-S Weight Distribution Hitch Kit, 800 lb
• 48193 Elite-S Weight Distribution Hitch Kit, 1000 lb
• 48194 Elite-S Weight Distribution Hitch Kit, 1200 lb

5. Elite Ready-to-Tow Hitches (External/Adjustable Sway Control)

Trailer towing is made easier with the Eaz-Lift Elite ready-to-tow hitches. They feature manually adjusted external/adjustable sway control. Simply set the sway control to your desired amount with a clamp adjustment. Unclamp the sway control to turn it off.

Features:

• Economical hitch
• Chain-style design
• Pre-assembled components save time
• U-bolts and a chain package are pre-installed on the spring bars
• A hitch ball and sway control ball are pre-installed & torqued to specification on the hitch head
• Universal spring bars are interchangeable, for use on either side of the hitch
• Mounting hardware is included

Elite ready-to-tow hitches:

• 48056 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control- 600 lb
• 48057 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distribution Hitch Kit with Sway Control- 800 lb
• 48058 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distributing Hitch Kit with Sway Control- 1,000 lb
• 48069 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distributing Hitch Kit with Sway Control- 1,200 lb

6. Elite Standard Hitches (Without Sway Control— Add-On Options Available)

Standard Elite hitches are designed to provide trailers with a smoother ride than that found in other hitches— using interchangeable round spring bars with positive latching action (clicks and locks-in for operation).

If you prefer the ability to add sway control separately, consider this model. They are not pre-assembled & do not include a hitch ball nor sway control. You can add-on integrated sway control with the Camco #48380 or 48381.

Features:

• Economical hitch
• Chain-style design
• Universal spring bars are interchangeable (for use on either side of the hitch)
• Mounting hardware is included

Elite standard hitches:

• 48051 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distribution Hitch with Height Adjustable Forged Shank- 600 lb
• 48052 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distribution Hitch with Height Adjustable Forged Shank- 800 lb
• 48053 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distribution Hitch with Height Adjustable Forged Shank- 1,000 lb
• 48059 Eaz-Lift Elite Weight Distribution Hitch with Height Adjustable Forged Shank- 1200 lb

The Verdict

Consider the weight of your trailer, your sway control preferences, and the unique benefits of each model listed above. By understanding the available options and their benefits, you can confidently choose the weight distribution solution that best suits your towing needs.

Prioritize safety as you hit the road. Confidently know that you've chosen the best weight distribution solution for your future adventures!